Solana Beach Co. Launches New Social Network for Learning, Connecting with Experts

SAN DIEGO (MAY 31, 2013) – Today, Solana-based company, Binteo, announced the beta launch of their innovative social networking site, Binteo.com. Co-founded by Solana Beach resident, Josh Watts, the new personalized online community is designed to facilitate connections among like-minded enthusiasts with the added advantage of real-time engagement with experts in focused categories including photography, cooking, gardening and autism. Hobbyists, professionals and experts will be able to share insights, collaborate and improve skills in their fields of interests via sophisticated but user-friendly technology. Interactions will take place through a variety of platforms, such as news feeds, instant messaging, videos, conference calls, Tweet-ups and connecting with a skillful panel of experts. The site has been in development for almost three years and has benefited from talented developers in California, Vancouver, New York and London. “The Binteo beta launch is a major milestone for us,” said Josh Watts, co-founder and creative director of the San Diego-based company. “We are thrilled to offer a community that connects people based on their personal interests so they could improve their skills, share, interact with and learn from our distinguished panel of experts. I think they will be impressed with the many ways they can connect and also achieve the bottom line result: getting better at Binteo. We are looking forward to feedback from users to this beta version and community help in advancing toward the final version. We are already seeing lively discussions and growth in the photography community, which is taking off even before the official announcement.” Binteo’s panel of photography experts includes award-winning photojournalists Christopher Weeks and Rachel LaCour Niesen and renowned editorial photographers Western Doughty and Severin Koller. Throughout the upcoming months, the Binteo team will be revving up their cooking and gardening communities as they incorporate celebrity chefs and gardeners to their respective panels. Members will be able to advance their culinary skills and master the art of horticulture. “The Binteo technology platform makes it easy to add new communities based on user interests,” Watts said. “Binteo is currently considering several sports-oriented communities.” In addition to bringing individuals together through mutual hobbies, Binteo’s heart and soul resides in helping develop a place for important community interests, a platform for advancing local causes. Binteo will be starting with an autism community, which will be developed as a place where individuals, professionals and organizations can connect and share information, plus provide access to other resources for those who are impacted in some way by the disability. The site requires registering as a member to have use of all its resources and will be free to all users. New members will be greeted by Cathie, the knowledgeable, quirky animated face of Binteo. Cathie will provide updates and helpful hints on Binteo communities, and answer user questions to optimize overall involvement and understanding of the site. Users will be able to follow along with the latest photography trends and posts via Cathie’s Twitter account, @CathieBinteo. Additionally, photography contests will present an opportunity for members to participate in a fun and creative way, offering users the engaging experience Binteo strives to create. Nearly three years after conceptualizing the idea and incorporating significant creativity, research, planning and use of the most sophisticated web-based technology available, this new social website is ready for its debut.

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